In search of perfection
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on April 6, 2012 - 5:41 p.m.
OK, who has been planting stuff early? I’ve been able to restrain the gardening urge, and have limited myself to moving perennials. This is an annual event, no pun intended, ...
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Round-up ready weekend
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on March 16, 2012 - 10:58 a.m.
Every spring the Tall Man says, “Don’t mud it in!” He’s referring to the practice of mucking around in your garden before the soil is dry enough to work with. ...
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What about Bob? Curling in Centerville
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on February 7, 2012 - 5:37 p.m.
I spent the weekend in Centerville Wis., an unincorporated crossroads in Trempealeau County, where I enjoyed the hospitality of the Centerville Curling Club and met Uncle Bob. A team from ...
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National Weather Service poetry and predictions
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on January 10, 2012 - 8:41 p.m.
I love reading the “Area Forecast Discussion” page on the National Weather Service website. The discussion is written in all caps with very little punctuation. Each entry begins with a ...
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Beckman, Blackhawk and Marshfield: Beating the winter doldrums
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on January 9, 2012 - 3:56 p.m.
I’m writing about spring today. Or rather, I’m writing about the winter doldrums, and how to get through the winter without taking up inappropriate hobbies such as stabbing your spouse, ...
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A sad goodbye to Kelli Cameron
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on January 6, 2012 - 3:41 p.m.
This is the saddest piece of news I've ever received in a news release: "Kelli Cameron has resigned from her position as executive director of Rotary Botanical Gardens." When she ...
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Novel thoughts
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on January 3, 2012 - 8:32 p.m.
Received my Cook’s Garden catalog in the mail. Lots of pretty pictures and lush descriptions, just the thing you need for a bitter winter’s day. Along with catalogs, January is ...
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Missed me, missed me, now you've got to kiss me
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on January 2, 2012 - 5:01 p.m.
I’m back. I can’t imagine you missed me terribly, but perhaps a tiny bit of your soul missed my adjective-ridden missives and smarty-pants remarks. No? I didn’t think so, but ...
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Frank and Anna's fireflies
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on July 8, 2011 - 12:37 p.m.
I've been thinking about fireflies a lot lately. My yard has been filled with their magic light--more so than other years. UW Extension bug guru Phil Pellitteri said this has ...
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Beans with issues
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on June 22, 2011 - 2:52 p.m.
I saw Phyliss Williams of K & W Greenery out and about the other day. She said it’s been a weird year for gardeners, with the weather playing unexpected tricks ...
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Anxiety, by George!
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on June 17, 2011 - 6:08 p.m.
I’ve never been a scrapbooker—it’s too expensive, and I’m just not crafty enough. However, a recent event inspired me to consider the hobby. I was out in the woods, clearing ...
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Where the (insert curse word here) did those beans come from?
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on June 7, 2011 - 10:45 p.m.
OK, so that might be the longest blog title ever. It's been a brutally hot couple of days. There is no AC at the Fulton Township compound, and the heat ...
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Guess the artist!
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on May 26, 2011 - 2:52 p.m.
Name the artist! On Wednesday, June 1, the Janesville Performing Arts Center will announce the performer for next year’s big fundraising concert. Past acts have included Donny Osmond, Mary Wilson ...
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A bed bug conference and upcoming work days
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on May 23, 2011 - 5:11 p.m.
I love my job. Today I got to write about hosta hybridizer Jeff Moore. I also received this press release: "BED BUG CONFERENCE WILL SPOTLIGHT STATEWIDE PANDEMIC, SOLUTIONS." "APPLETON, WIS. ...
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Master gardener training: From turf to soil porn
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on May 10, 2011 - 4:05 p.m.
The Master Gardener Volunteer training program is a good way to learn the basics of everything from turf grass care to garden design, integrated pest management to fungal diseases and ...
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Leeks, carrots and seals at the compound
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on May 9, 2011 - 11:37 a.m.
Yahooooo! The peas are coming up! So are the lettuce and carrots. The leeks, which were shipped from Maine to Minnesota to be blessed by my earthly father before being ...
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Sweet potato and young plants
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on April 1, 2011 - 1:43 p.m.
CobraHead, the makers of one of the coolest and most useful tools on the market (no, they’re not paying me), also sends out a cool and useful e-mail newsletter. The ...
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Bona verba for gardeners
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on April 1, 2011 - 12:52 p.m.
Susan Mahr, state Master Gardener Volunteer coordinator sends out a monthy newletter with tips, recipes and quirky information. I’m mostly interested in the quirky. From this month’s newsletter: -Just what ...
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Edible book titles
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on March 29, 2011 - 8:31 p.m.
People! Where are your entries? Get on the stick, right this instant! Last week, I wrote about Hedberg Public Library’s Incredible Edible Book Challenge. Here’s the idea: Individuals, families and ...
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To the ramparts for vegetable rights!
Posted by CATHERINE IDZERDA on March 14, 2011 - 12:29 p.m.
Last week, this marvelous piece of writing arrived in my inbox. At first, I thought it was the product of some clever public relations executive. But no, it was indeed ...
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